On January 23, 2012, a large audience crowded in a converted 17th century convent to view “Micro”, the Iris van Herpen Spring/Summer 2012 collection. In actuality, this fashion collection of layered, spiraling forms leans more towards sculptural fine-art interacting with living human bodies than to traditional fashion. Made with mostly hard materials such as plastic or metal, there is limited physical movement in the clothes as the models walked, but there was an abundance of movement in the design – waves of metal or plastic that come of as mechanic in construction while having a completely organic flow. There is a futuristic vibe floating through each piece.

An official guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, Iris van Herpen has also partnered up with United Nude, a footwear designer, again for this season crafting a series of multi-heeled claw platform boots – creepy yet curious in all the best ways.